"Public Counsel started 40 years ago as the public interest law firm of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and today that relationship continues. We're proud to be helping people change their lives with your support." - Hernan Vera, President/CEO, Public Counsel

As the nation's largest pro bono law firm, Public Counsel changes people's lives every day. They do it with the help of thousands of attorneys who volunteer their time and talents to make a difference.

Help a torture victim win asylum. Secure special education benefits for a student. Tackle a consumer case. Help a child join her new family. Have a direct relationship with a client. Whether you are a sole practitioner, in-house counsel, brand-new associate or partner at a firm there's a place for you on Public Counsel's team.

Take a case: Sign up with your email address to get monthly updates of urgent cases at Public Counsel.

Change someone's future: Find out about ongoing opportunities that get you quickly working with individual clients.

Have a big impact in a little time: Join a clinic, lead a training, or volunteer at Public Counsel's offices with case research or seminar planning.

Public Counsel is the nation's largest not-for-profit law firm of its kind with a 40-year track record of fighting for the rights of children and youth, persecuted immigrants, military veterans and nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is the public interest law firm of the Beverly Hills Bar Association as well as the Southern California affiliate of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Public Counsel's staff of 51 attorneys and 46 support staff -- including five social workers -- along with over 5,000 volunteer lawyers, law students and legal professionals assisted over 32,000 children, youth, adults and families, as well as eligible community organizations last year. The value of these free legal services provided during 2010 is conservatively estimated at over $88 million.

When you connect with Public Counsel, amazing things can happen.

Ask their clients, volunteer attorneys, supporters and staff attorneys and social workers. Together they are a "force for good" in our community.

Public Counsel takes on issues with major impact. Over the past year their cases have gotten major media attention, including in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and other major local and national outlets. These include:

Protecting 75,000 students in struggling Los Angeles schools from the destabilizing impact of teacher layoffs.

Promoting fair housing rights for thousands of black and Latino residents in the Antelope Valley.

Working to win legal rights for immigrants with mental disabilities.

How to connect with Public Counsel

Get the app: The Public Counsel: Force for Good app just launched and lets you connect with us wherever you are. Tell Public Counsel about a person who needs their help, get the latest urgent cases and other volunteer opportunities, and email them for more information or to take a case. If you have an iPhone or iPad you can download it for free. Search "Public Counsel" or "Force for Good" at the App Store on your phone or click here:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/public-counsel-force-for-good/id452907261?mt=8

Visit Public Counsel's new volunteer website: Whether you are a partner, a sole practitioner, a lawyer just starting out or a professional in another field, there's a place for you on Public Counsel's team. You can see real-time opportunities to get involved now and sign up to receive emails about clients who need your help. Visit Public Counsel's new volunteer page atwww.publiccounsel.org/volunteer